Checking in with Migrating Golden Eagle Project

If you have followed our blog for a bit, you know that we are happy to share information on several golden eagles who have "backpack" transmitters.  Thanks to Mark Martell of Audubon Minnesota for collecting this information and putting it on maps to share. 

Jack (Eagle 53) was in southern Iowa on November 21^st and seems to be on his way to the Ozarks where he has wintered the past 2 years.  He was trapped on November 12, 2012  at the Hawk Ridge Banding Station in Duluth, Minnesota. The bird was in full adult plumage and based on his small size we believe he is a male.

This is a map of points for Eagle 53.

Jeanette (Eagle 45) was in central Wisconsin on Nov 20, the last day for which we have data currently. She was very close to the wintering area she has used the last 3 years.  She was trapped in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, and is a large adult female. This represents our most eastern capture and it will be very exciting to see what information she will continue to send to us.

This is a map of points from Eagle 45.

Audubon Minnesota, the National Eagle Center, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Nongame Program, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Endangered Resources Program are involved in a project to increase our understanding of the biology and management needs of golden eagles wintering along the Mississippi River.

A winter population of golden eagles along the Upper Mississippi River raises new and important management questions and challenges. Learning the breeding origin (or origins) of these birds is of high importance. The breeding population in northern Ontario is thought to be small and thus vulnerable. If there are birds are moving from western breeding areas they could be severely impacted by wind generator projects proposed for the Great Plains and western Minnesota.

Project website is here.